Go easy on
the ADB group

Yesterday’s reports said there are now more than 14 Chinese vessels at the disputed Scarborough Shoal. They also said that China is telling the Philippines not to draw other countries into the controversy. How do we translate that? Maybe it means, just stay there by yourselves and we will pulverize you completely.

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In the meantime, the Asian Development Bank is holding its governors conference in Manila and government officials are all agog at the privilege. But they must be more excited over the announcement that the ADB is making available $12.4 billion to help the poor in Asian countries. That is wonderful news, but I hope no politicians or cabinet members are salivating over the distribution of whatever portion of that fund is allotted to us.

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Manila’s elite families are also excited about hosting the ADB delegates and falling over each other in trying to prepare parties and receptions to impress the visitors. I hope they do not go overboard about it, otherwise the delegates might change their minds about giving us a share in the $12.4 fund for the poor. I heard there are about 5,000 delegates in town, and that about 3,000 policemen have also been deployed to secure them. My, that is almost man-to-man guarding.

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I imagine, though, that the atmosphere in Manila now is similar to that time when the Asia Pacific Economic Conference, or APEC, was held in the Philippines. Then, as now, so-called “courtesy lanes” were also marked out in the major streets of Manila, like the Roxas Boulevard. The lanes were reserved especially for the delegates so that they would not have to grapple with what has been rated as “the worst traffic in the world.”

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The APEC affair was, of course, grander than the ADB one, because then, the heads of state of all Pacific-based countries were present. The star of the show was, naturally, U.S. President Bill Clinton, who was not only the best-looking and possibly the youngest, he was also the most glamorous, and “smilingest” one. Security for him was terribly strict, but Carla and I, who were covering the APEC then, managed to get ourselves into the Manila Hotel where he was booked, thanks to a cousin who was an officer of the country’s top security office.

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Meanwhile, it is not only the tradpols (traditional politicians to those who are not yet familiar with the lingo) who are girding for the 2013 elections. Movie personalities are also trying to get in, especially in the Lower House. This time, the most prominent of them is Aga Muhlach, who has announced that he will run for the 4th District of Camirines Sur, and he and his wife, former Ms. Philippines Charlene Gonzales, have already registered there as voters. A fly in the ointment, however, are the old politicians who consider that area their exclusive turf. Some have already filed complaints at the Commission on Election, questioning his eligibility.

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I guess what happened to another movie idol, Richard Gomez, has not taught Aga anything. Gomez also tried to run in his wife’s province, but was denied by the Comelec for not being a resident. So his wife, Lucy, had to come in as a substitute candidate and even she was also questioned. It was only recently that the Comelec ruled on her case and confirmed her election. And what about the controversial Willie Revillame? Is it true that he is also eyeing a political office?

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Today, Bacolod’s original resort, Santa Fe, is in the midst of its five-day annual fiesta that will be highlighted by the inauguration and blessing of its latest facility, the Casa Alicia Building. Santa Fe is the offering of the Villanueva family headed by the late philantrophist, Don Generoso Villanueva, to Bacoleños and Negrenses that has kept improving and adding more surprises every year. A great advantage of Santa Fe is that it is so accessible to the city.

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A shocking news I got late yesterday from a relative in Manila was about the killing of Felix “Jun” Abay in front of his home in Quezon City Wednesday. Jun was one of the sons of the late Dr. Felix Abay and one of his brothers, Eustaquio “Boy” is a renowned neurosurgeon in Kansas, U.S.A. The circumstances are not yet very clear, but I heard that Jun was trying to protect his son who was the target of the gunman, and got hit, instead. He was said to be looking forward to his class reunion in September at La Consolacion College where his brothers and sisters are studied. Our condolences to the family.*

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